DEVS401 Theories of Development

The study of development theory and the development industry, particularly since World
War Two. Modernist, Marxist, neo-liberal, grassroots and ‘post-development’ perspectives
are used to question the strengths and weaknesses of development processes.

In this paper we examine the many strands of development theory and how they have
changed across time and space. While initially development theory focused on how ex-colonies,
or the developing world, could modernise and replicate the experience of the Western
world, in the contemporary era there are now a whole range of different theoretical
perspectives that we can use to understand the experiences and aspirations of people
living in the global South. Contemporary global challenges include issues of inequality,
environmental sustainability and empowerment. In this paper, we focus on case studies
that examine the role of development theory from the perspective of gender, expert
knowledge, participation and environmental management among other debates.

One of the most interesting things about a paper in development theory is that we
are drawing from a range of different disciplines in order to understand different
ways of approaching the subject matter. The paper is designed to be accessible, and
by the end of it students will feel comfortable reading across the interdisciplinary
field of development studies.

The paper begins with an overview of the different traditions in development theory,
including an introduction to post-development, which has emerged over the past two
decades as one of the most interesting and exciting approaches to thinking about people,
power and the development industry.

The paper is based around one 2-hour
seminar session per week. The sessions will alternate in style but will usually follow
an informed discussion-style format. Students will be expected to undertake research
and/or readings each week before the sessions and contribute their perspectives within
class. Self-directed research for the assessment exercises will need to be conducted
outside class time.

Textbooks

There is no set textbook for this paper. Instead, there is a course reader that contains
recommended readings for each week. A range of other resources will also be utilised
throughout the paper.